Geopolymer concrete (GC) is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete; its environmental benefits are further enhanced by incorporating recycled aggregates (RA), which reduce carbon emissions and support construction waste reuse. This study investigates the strength and durability properties of Class-F fly ash (FA)-based GC, incorporating both coarse and fine RA. Different GC mixes were developed with varying proportions of coarse RA (0%, 50%, and 100%), fine RA (0%, 50%, and 100%), or combinations of both. Compression strength was assessed as the primary strength parameter, while durability was evaluated through initial surface absorption, capillary suction tests, and acid attack tests. In addition, electrical resistivity was measured for all GC mixes. The findings suggest that introducing 50% coarse and fine RA, independently or in combination, has a minimal impact on compression strength. However, including fine RA negatively affects GC’s surface absorption and capillary suction more than coarse RA. The electrical resistivity values indicate a moderate risk of corrosion for all GC mixes. The results recommend that RA can be utilised in GC, which can overcome the scarcity of natural aggregates and help to achieve a sustainable environment.
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1 November 2025
Research Article|
September 23 2025
Assessment of fly ash geopolymer concrete with fine and coarse recycled aggregates Available to Purchase
Paramveer Singh
;
Paramveer Singh
Department of Civil Engineering,
Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology
, Jalandhar, India
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Kanish Kapoor
;
Department of Civil Engineering,
Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology
, Jalandhar, India
Corresponding author Weiqing Zhu (kapoork@nitj.ac.in)
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S P Singh;
S P Singh
Department of Civil Engineering,
Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology
, Jalandhar, India
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Salim Barbhuiya
Salim Barbhuiya
Civil Engineering Department of Engineering and Construction,
University of East London
, London, United Kingdom
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Corresponding author Weiqing Zhu (kapoork@nitj.ac.in)
Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
March 20 2025
Accepted:
August 06 2025
Online ISSN: 1747-6518
Print ISSN: 1747-650X
© 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited
2025
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Construction Materials (2025) 178 (6): 368–377.
Article history
Received:
March 20 2025
Accepted:
August 06 2025
Citation
Singh P, Kapoor K, Singh SP, Barbhuiya S (2025), "Assessment of fly ash geopolymer concrete with fine and coarse recycled aggregates". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Construction Materials, Vol. 178 No. 6 pp. 368–377, doi: https://doi.org/10.1680/jcoma.25.00031
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